Gear Pattern Input

[Jeepedo129]

Hey guys, Looking for some advice from someone who's installed gears before.

I'm installing a replacement factory locker into my Front Dana 44 which is a 2005 TJ rubi axle that I'm planning on installing in the XJ. I'm reusing the gear set which is G2 gears in the 4:88 thick cut flavor.

I ran a pattern of the original setup before I pulled anything out and the pattern was horrible.

Backlash was at .015", Drive side was way off the heel and the Coast side was ok, but seemed like this was set up badly.




So now I'm trying to set up the gears again with the new carrier and a new install kit.
I'm struggling to get a pattern that I feel like is right.
This is the first time that I've done this, so any insight would be Awesome! I've been messing with this all day, and don't really know where to go with this.

Here are the 3 set ups that I did. The Pinion inner oil slinger was at .055 with no shims behind the race. So that was my starting point. I then moved the pinion in to .057 and .060. I also ran one at .045 but I didn't get a picture of it cause the drive side was barely touching the top of the tooth.

 

[RCP Phx]

How are you applying pressure to the ring gear?

 

[Jeepedo129]

I’m using a glove pressed against the ring while I turn the pinion with a drill.

 

[RCP Phx]

Are you getting the proper preload on the carrier bearings? Did you "stone" the ring gear?

 

[Jeepedo129]

Preload I believe is good. It takes about 8-10 whacks with a dead blow to get the carrier into the housing. I didn’t stone the ring gear before install. I did clean carrier flange and the ring gear really good before I bolted down the ring gear.

 

[RCP Phx]

That's a tough one! First used gears like to be set-up the way they came out. 2nd - the tj 44 is a low pinion so the "normal" drive side is now the "coast". The #3 pics look best so far.

 

[Jeepedo129]

Alright. I’m gonna run with 3. We’ll see how this thing runs for now. I foresee wanting to upgrade to an ARB locker later on down the track so maybe new gears will be in order as well.